MINUTES
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
FEBRUARY 3, 2022
6:30 PM
CALL TO ORDER: @ 6:30 PM
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
ROLL CALL: Solis, Lorenzini, Newton, Murakami (Rivera by conference call) PUBLIC COMMENTS: “This time is set aside for the public to address the City Council on matters listed on the Consent Agenda as well as other items not included on the Regular Agenda. If your comments concern an item noted on the Regular Agenda, please address the Council when that item is open for public comment.” (The Brown Act requires the public be given the opportunity to address the Council before action is taken. If there is a Consent Agenda, there is no other opportunity for public comment on items on the Consent Agenda.) The Council has the right to reasonably limit the duration of each speaker to three minutes. Speakers may not cede their time. The Council may ask questions but may take no action during the Public Comments portion of the meeting, except to direct staff to prepare a report, or to place an item on a future agenda.
SPEAKERS: Speakers, please stand at the podium and speak loudly so the entire room can hear you.
The mayor will recognize you and ask that you state your name and mailing address so that the City Staff can follow up on any issues requiring City action, or provide you with information, if appropriate.
CONSENT CALENDAR: Discussion/possible action - All matters listed under the consent calendar are considered routine and will be enacted by one motion unless any member of the Council wishes to remove an item for discussion, or a member of the audience wishes to comment on an item. The City Clerk recommends approval of the following consent calendar items:
Pursuant to the Governor of the State of California’s Executive Order N-29-20, access to the Montague City Council regular council meeting can be accessed to the public by calling the following conference (phone) number and utilizing the conference (access) code:
Conference Number: 1-712-832-8330
Conference Code: 8481653#
MINUTES: 1/6
Motion made by Murakami to approve meeting minutes 1/6, seconded by Solis. All Ayes DEPARTMENT REPORTS: Motion made by Murakami to amend the agenda to read the proper dates of January 2022 and not December 2022, seconded by Solis. All Ayes
Sheriff’s update for January 2022 – Sgt. Towers present with verbal report.
City Engineer update for January 2022 – City Engineer present and advised that S. 9th St. is out to bid and closes on 2/24.
Planning Commission update for January 2022 – John Hammond present with verbal report.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Discussion/possible action on the City’s plan to safeguard against the COVID-19 pandemic: Motion made by Murakami to approve continuing action on the City’s plan to safeguard against the COVID-19 pandemic, seconded by Solis. All Ayes.
A) Staff Reports
B) Continuation of City’s Plan
2. Discussion on Y.E.S. Youth Empowerment Siskiyou homelessness solutions: Sarah with Y.E.S. present and advised that the Yreka is currently working on the application and moving forward as planned. Sarah advised that she will update our City Council as needed.
3. Discussion/possible action to approve closing City Hall for training: Motion made by Murakami to approve closing City Hall for training ½ days on Wednesday in the afternoon for February 9th, 16th, and 23rd, and March 2 nd, seconded by Rivera. All Ayes.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Discussion/possible action to approve lease agreement with Yreka Little League for the 2022 baseball season:
Ron Ladd present with discussion. Motion made by Murakami to approve the lease agreement with Yreka Little League with amendments to #2 for the term of the agreement to be April 1st to July 9th and #16 to state that Yreka Little League will work together with Montague Slow Pitch Softball in June/July, seconded by Solis. All Ayes.
2. Discussion/possible action to approve increasing the water and sewer rates for 2022: Motion made by Solis to not increase the water rates and keep them the same, seconded by Newtown. Murakami: Opposed.
3. Discussion/possible action to approve Girl Scouts using Railroad Park: Kelly Ruiz present. Motion made by Solis to approve Girl Scouts using Railroad Park on February 14th, February 21st, and March 12th, seconded by Murakami. All Ayes.
4. Discussion/possible action to approve business banner advertisement for Diggle field: Rivera advised that there was a price change to $200 for the advertisement. Motion made by Solis to approve the business banner advertisement for Diggle field, seconded by Murakami. All Ayes.
5. Discussion/possible action to approve the 2022 Montague Balloon Fair MOU: Crystal Stiles and John Hammond present for Montague Rotary. Motion made by Murakami to approve the 2022 Montague Balloon Fair MOU, seconded by Solis. All Ayes.
6. Discussion on reinstating the Siskiyou Beef County Cook-off by the Rotary Club of Montague: John Hammond with Montague Rotary present for discussion. Hammond advised that Rotary would like to bring back the Siskiyou County Cook-off and is trying to create an MOU for the City Council. No action taken.
7. Discussion/possible action to approve amendments to the City of Montague Personnel Policy and Procedures and Handbook: Motion made by Solis to approve adding policy 22.4.1 requiring that if any staff call out sick then that person is required to take a negative covid test before returning to work, tests must be taken at Siskiyou County Public Health or in house in front of witness, seconded by Newton. All Ayes.
8. Discussion/possible action to approve hiring an Account Clerk for City Hall: Motion made by Murakami to approve hiring an Account Clerk for City Hall at 28 hrs./wk., seconded by Solis. All Ayes.
9. Discussion/possible action to approve using LAIF to purchase a truck for Public Works: Due to the emergency of the situation City Council allowed the Public Works special permission not to follow the procurement process at this time. Motion made by Solis to approve purchasing a vehicle with LAIF not to exceed $40,000 and buy a new motor for the vehicle that is broken, seconded by Newton. All Ayes.
COUNCIL AND STAFF REPORTS for January 2022
• Fire Department – No report. Fundraiser dinner 2/19
• Public Works – See attached report.
• Water/Sewer – See attached report.
• Animal Control/Code Enforcement - See attached report. • City Clerk See attached report. (Employee evals schedule for 2/9 at 11:30 AM and 12:00 PM. Workshop for City Planner to award bid for the Housing Element scheduled for 3/10 at 6:30 PM. • Treasurer – See attached report.
• Pool – Pool Dinner scheduled for 6/3.
• Library – See attached report.
• Commissioners/Council Statements and Requests: Members of the council may make brief announcements, reports, or request staff to report to council on any matter at a subsequent meeting.
Commissioner Murakami– New Library Manger is settling in well and has made lots of improvements to the library.
Motion made by Murakami to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Solis. All Ayes.
ADJOURN: @ 8:44 PM
ATTEST: CITY OF MONTAGUE:
X_____________________________ X_________________________________
ALYSSA MERRILL, CITY CLERK TIFFANIE LORENZINI, MAYOR